Consistency tester



June 7, 1938. o. T. BLOOM 'CONSISTENCY(' IETER Filed Nov. 23, 1936INVENTOR ATTESf 'IATTORNEY Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,119,699CONSISTENCY 'ms'r'aa Oscar '1. Bloom, Chicag 0, BL, asslgnor toIndustrial Patents Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of DelawareApplication Novemb'cr 2a, 1936, serial No. i12,414-

/ Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus. for measuring consistency.

Oiie of the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus fordetermining the consist- 5 ency of shortening. V

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for measuringthe consistency or tenderness of food products.

Other objects jof the invention will be apparent from the descriptionand claims which follow.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted in the accompanyingdrawing in which similar reference characters in the several figuresindicate similar parts.

Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus. Figure 2 is a view partly insection showing the piston and cylinder.

Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 1. Figure 4 is aFview taken on theline Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view partly insection" showing the operation of theworking headf v The apparatus consists essentially of a metal cylinder Ihaving a smooth bore 2, in which operates piston 3 of'plunger 4. ICollar 5 is threaded to one end of cylinder l andis provided withaperture 6 to accommodate shank I of plunger 4. Shoulder 8 is adapted toabut the inner surface 9 of collar 5 to restrict the outward move-- mentof plunger 4. Wire fork I0 is threaded in shank 1 of plunger 4 at H.Tines l2 and I3 01 fork III are fixed to ring l4. Ring I4 is providedwith edge l5 and inwardly tapered surface I. A standard pressure gaugei1 is threaded in cylinder l at la. The bore 2 is filled with anoncompressible liquid such as glycerine. 'In operation the edge iii ofring I4 is pressed into the product being tested, forcing piston 3upwardly and causing the liquid in bore 2 to actuate the gauge l1,giving a direct reading.

Assuming a metal cylinder four inches long,- having a three-fourths-inchoutsidediameter, and a smooth bore of 0.252 inch in diameter, the pistonhaving a cross-sectional area of onetwentieth of one square inch,working against a pressure gauge calibrated in pounds per square inch,it will be seen that'a pressure of one-twens tieth of a pound exertedagainst the special head would give a reading of one pound on the gauge.The special head or ring l4 employed with an apparatus having theforegoing measurements'is preferably a hollow cylinder one inch indiameter and approximately five-eighths-inch in length long with aconical bore, the lower or cutting edge being approximatelyone-twenty-flf-th-inch in width, and the upper or exit opening of thebore being approximately flve-eighths-inch in diameter.

When the instrument is pushed into a sample 01 shortening compound witha steady, easy motion, the maximum pressure is reached when the compoundstarts coming out of the top end of the head, and does not change unlessthe movl0 ing compound strikes one or both of the tines 12 and l3.-- I

It will be apparent that the apparatus of-the present invention may beemployed in determining the consistency or tenderness of divers ma- IIterials such as tats, shortening compounds, lard, meats. andthe like.

It will be understood that changes may be made in the details oiconstruction of the apparatus 7 of the present invention withoutdeparting fromthe spirit thereof, as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim: i

1. .In a consistency tester includinga pressure measuring means, aworking head operatively connected with the pressure measuring meanscomprising a circular ring having a conical orifice providing taperedresistance shoulders.-

2. In a consistency tester including a pressure measuring means, aworking head operatively connected with the pressure measuring meanscomprising a member having a tapered opening therethrough. the walls 01'said opening providing tapered resistance shoulders.

3. In a consistency tester including a pressure measuring means, aworking head operatively connected with the pressure measuring meanscomprising a member having a conical orifice, the wall of said orificeproviding an annular resistance shoulder. I o

.4. In a consistency tester including a pressure; measuring means, aworking head operatively connected with the pressure measuring meanscomprising a circular ring having aconical orifice, the wall of saidorifice providing'an annular resistance shoulder.

'5. In a consistency tester including a prcssure measuring means, aworking head comprising a member having a conical opening therethrough,the walls of said opening providing tam pered resistance shoulders, andmeans including a forked member operatively connecting said working headwith said pressure measuring means.

OSCAR .T, BLOOM.

